Daily Current Affairs Dated On 02-May-2020

Daily Current Affairs Dated On 02-May-2020

Today’s Important Topic’s For UPSC Preparation

1. CMS. 2. CENTRE TO REVIEW LIST OF MONUMENTS UNDER ASI. 3. GIR NATIONAL PARK. 4. EXPERTS CONCERNS FOR INDIA OVER US TALIBANAGREEMENT. 5. PROJECT 75I. 6. DHRONACHARYA AWARDEE ATHELITICS COACH JOGINDER SINGH SAINI PASSES AWAY. I CMS (Conservation of Migratory Species): What is CMS?

 The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals — more commonly abbreviated to just the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) or the Bonn Convention and CMS COP is known as Global Wildlife conference—aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range.  It is an international treaty, concluded under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP), concerned with the conservation of wildlife and habitats on a global scale.  The convention was signed in 1979 at Bonn (hence the name Bonn Convention), Germany and entered into force in 1983. Its headquarters are in Bonn, Germany. Since its entry into force, the membership has grown steadily to include over 120 Parties from Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

Daily Current Affairs Dated On 02-May-2020

Species Coverage: The CMS Family covers a great diversity of migratory species. The Appendices of CMS include many mammals, including land mammals, marine mammals and bats; birds; fish; reptiles and one insect. Among the instruments, AEWA covers 254 species of birds that are ecologically dependent on wetlands for at least part of their annual cycle. EUROBATS covers 52 species of bat, the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks seven species of shark, the IOSEA Marine Turtle MOU six species of marine turtle and the Raptors MoU 76 species of birds of prey.

Appendix I – Threatened Migratory Species: Migratory species threatened with extinction are listed on Appendix I of the Convention, with relevant provisions outlined in Article III, paragraphs 4 and 5.

Parties that are Range States to Appendix I species are obliged to afford them strict protection. CMS Parties strive towards strictly protecting these animals, conserving or restoring the places where they live, mitigating obstacles to migration and controlling other factors that might endanger them. Besides establishing obligations for each State joining the Convention, CMS promotes concerted action among the Range States of many of these species.

Appendix II – Migratory Species requiring international cooperation: Migratory species that need or would significantly benefit from international cooperation are listed in Appendix II of the Convention. These species, either individually or by taxonomic group, are the basis for establishing instruments – regional or global – under CMS. For this reason, the Convention encourages the Range States to conclude global or regional Agreements.

COP 13: THEME “Migratory species connect the planet and together we welcome them home”

Venue Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Center (Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat)

Daily Current Affairs Dated On 02-May-2020

LOGO: It was inspired by “Kolam”, a traditional art form from southern India.

The Kolam art form was used to depict key migratory species in India like Amur falcon, humpback whale and marine turtles.

Mascot: The CMS COP 13 mascot was “Gibi – The Great Indian Bustard”. It is a critically endangered species accorded the highest protection status under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Daily Current Affairs Dated On 02-May-2020

 Ten migratory species added to global wildlife agreement including the Asian Elephant, Jaguar and Great Indian Bustard.  Gandhinagar declaration sends strong message on importance of migratory species for new global biodiversity strategy.  Ten new species were added to CMS Appendices at COP13. Seven species were added to Appendix I, which provides the strictest protection: Appendix I: 1) Asian Elephant, 2) Jaguar, 3) Great Indian Bustard, 4) Bengal Florican, 5) Little Bustard, 6) Antipodean Albatross, 7) Oceanic White-tip Shark.

Appendix II: 8) Urial, 9) Smooth Hammerhead Shark, 10) Tope Shark.

Why in News?  India is host to 457 migratory fauna, shows latest CMS list.  With new additions to the wildlife list put out by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), scientists say that the total number of migratory fauna from India comes to 457 species. Birds comprise 83% (380 species) of this figure.  The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) had for the first time compiled the list of migratory species of India under the CMS before the Conference of Parties (COP 13) held in Gujarat recently.  It had put the number at 451. Six species were added later. They are the Asian elephant, great Indian bustard, Bengal florican, oceanic white-tip shark, urial and smooth hammerhead shark.

Daily Current Affairs Dated On 02-May-2020

 Globally, more than 650 species are listed under the CMS appendices and India, with over 450 species, plays a very important role in their conservation.  Before COP 13, the number of migratory bird species stood at 378 and now it has reached 380.  The country has three flyways (flight paths used by birds): the Central Asian flyway, East Asian flyway and East Asian–Australasian flyway.

Daily Current Affairs Dated On 02-May-2020

II CENTRE TO REVIEW LIST OF MONUMENTS UNDER ASI: ABOUT ASI:  ASI is an Indian government agency attached to the Ministry of Culture that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country.  ASI’s function is to “explore, excavate, conserve, preserve and protect the monuments and sites of National & International Importance.”  Its headquarters is in Delhi.

It’s Functions are:  Preservation, conservation and environmental development of centrally protected monuments and sites, including World Heritage Monuments and antiquitie  Maintenance of gardens & development of new gardens surrounding centrally protected monuments and sites  Exploration and excavation of ancient sites  Specialized study of inscription and various phases of Indian architecture  Maintenance of Archaeological site Museums  Operation of the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act  Research and Training in different areas of Archaeology  ASI is the successor of The Asiatic Society of India. It was founded in its current form in 1861 by Sir Alexander Cunningham with the help of the then Viceroy Canning.  It regulates all the archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act(AMASR),1958 and the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.

AMASR Act, 1958:  Ancient Monument means any structure, erection or monument, or any tumulus or place of interment, or any cave, rock-sculpture, inscription or monolith which is of historical, archaeological or artistic interest and which has been in existence for not less than 100 years.

Daily Current Affairs Dated On 02-May-2020

Why in News?  Center to review list of monuments under ASI.  At present, 3,691 monuments nationwide are protected by the ASI, with the highest number, 745, in Uttar Pradesh.  The number of monuments under the Centre’s protection could increase as the government is planning to conduct a review of those under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the ones protected by the State governments, Union Minister for Culture Prahlad Singh Patel has said.  The list of Centrally protected monuments can go up to 10,000. In Tamil Nadu alone, there are about 7,000 temples, many of which are hundreds of years old.

On the other hand, there are some monuments under the ASI that can be shifted to the State list,” he said.

III GIR NATIOANAL PARK:  Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Sasan Gir, is a forest and wildlife sanctuary near Talala Gir in Gujarat, India. It is part of the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.  Today, it is the only area in Asia where Asiatic lions occur and is considered one of the most important protected areas in Asia because of its biodiversity.

Daily Current Affairs Dated On 02-May-2020

ďƒ˜ The Gir Forests Reserve, created in 1913 to protect the largest of the surviving groups of Asiatic lions, was accorded sanctuary status in 1965. ďƒ˜ Other fauna include leopards, wild pigs, spotted deer, nilgai (a type of antelope), four-horned antelope, and chinkaras (a type of gazelle). A large central water hole contains a few crocodiles. The park also has a small temple dedicated to Krishna near the Tulsi-Shyam Springs.

Daily Current Affairs Dated On 02-May-2020

Why in News?  A lioness in Gujarat’s Gir National Park gave foster care to a leopard cub for more than a month. A study has noted their short-lived bonding as a rare case of foster care between two competing feline species.

IV EXPERTS CONCERNS FOR INDIA OVER US TALIBAN AGREEMENT:  New Delhi has signaled its acceptance of the U.S.-Taliban and U.S.Afghanistan peace agreements in Doha and Kabul that aim to end the 18year war in Afghanistan, by sending envoys to witness them.  The two agreements set out a course for the next 14 months, including the pullout of U.S. troops, the denial of space to foreign terrorist groups and any violence against the U.S. and allies, and intra-Afghan dialogue.  Joint Declaration between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States of America for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan’, diplomatic and security experts say the impact on India may be a cause for worry for the government.

Daily Current Affairs Dated On 02-May-2020

V PROJECT 75I:  The Project 75I-class submarine is a follow-on of the Project 75 Kalvariclass submarines for the Indian Navy.  Under this project, the Indian Navy intends to acquire six dieselelectric submarines, which will also feature advanced air-independent propulsion systems to enable them to stay submerged for longer duration and substantially increase their operational range.  All six submarines are expected to be constructed in Indian shipyards.  The P-75I programme is a part of the 30-year submarine building plan cleared by the then Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in 1999 that terminates in 2030. As a part of the plan, India was to build 24 submarines18 conventional and six nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) with longrange nuclear-tipped missiles (SSBNs) as an effective deterrence to China and Pakistan.  Currently, two conventional submarines-INS Kalvari and INS Khanderi have been commissioned out of six Scorpene submarines which are being built at Mazagon Docks (MDL) in collaboration with Naval Group (earlier known as DCNS)of France, under the Project-75 (P-75) at a cost of around of Rs. 24,000 crore.  The Scorpene deal was signed in October 2005 and the first submarine was to be delivered by 2012 but due to inordinate delays and teething problems, delays occurred. The first one, INS Kalvari was commissioned on 14 December 2017. The second one, Khandariwas commissioned on 28 September 2019.

Why in News?  With falling allocation, Navy looks at fleet optimization.  Facing increasing budgetary constraints and with several big-ticket acquisitions lined up, the Navy is looking at adopting unmanned platforms, both aerial and underwater, in a big way, Navy sources said.

Daily Current Affairs Dated On 02-May-2020

VI DHRONACHARYA AWADRDEE ATHELETICS COACH JOGINDER SINGH SAINI: Dronacharya Award:  Dronacharya award is given to coaches who produced medal winners by Government of India which comes under Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

About Joginder Singh Saini:  Veteran athletics coach and Dronacharya awardee Joginder Singh Saini, who groomed some of India's finest track and field stars, died here on Sunday due to age-related problems.  Saini received the Dronacharya Award in 1997 for his contribution to Indian athletics. He was the chief coach of the Indian athletics team which won 18 medals, including eight golds, at the 1978 Asian Games.  Saini was the one who encouraged Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, who won an Asian Games gold medal in 1962, to take up decathlon. Legendary marathon runner Shivnath Singh was among the other illustrious athletes whom he coached.

WORD OF THE DAY Deciduous Forest: A forest that is dominated by trees that lose their leaves in the fall is called a deciduous forest. Wyoming deciduous tree species include aspen, cottonwood, box elder, ash, mountain ash, poplars, willows, fruit trees such as the wild plum and less commonly oak and maple. Deciduous forests are often called ‘hardwood” forests.

Daily Current Affairs Dated On 02-May-2020

CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ 1) The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to (a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes. (b) determine the boundaries between States. (c) determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats. (d) protect the interests of all the border States.

2) Who /Which of the following is the custodian of the Constitution of India? (a) The President of India. (b) The Prime Minister of India. (c) The Lok Sabha Secretariat. (d) The Supreme court of India.

3) In India, in which one of the following types of forests is teak a dominant tree species? (a) Tropical moist deciduous forest. (b) Tropical rain forest. (c) Tropical thorn scrub forest. (d) Temperate forest with grasslands.

4) Kalamkari painting refers to (a) a hand-painted cotton textile in South India. (b) a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India. (c) a block-painted woollen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India. (d) a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western India.

5) Which of the following has/have been accorded 'Geographical Indication' status?

1. Banaras Brocades and Sarees 2. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma 3. Tirupathi Laddu Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 only 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Daily Current Affairs Dated On 02-May-2020 Correct Answers:

1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

A D A A C